The metar history show that the 500 feet forecast was correct.

But tell me Phil. Is 500 feet stratus cloudbase significant from the
controller’s point of view? (as opposed to an earlier TAF giving
nothing below 3,500). Even in my flying days (goodness, I retired
almost 11 years ago!) 500 feet wouldn’t have made the slightest
difference to us so it can’t do so in 2009. But does the landing/take
off flow rate have to be changed in such conditions of low cloud even
with good visibility beneath?

Jack